Michael Patrick Balok

Michael Patrick "Mick" Balok Southport Resident Was born May 10, 1943 in Elmira, the son of the late Joseph J. and Fern (Langlois) Balok Sr. Michael passed away peacefully after an extended illness on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at the Robert Packer Hospital at the age of 74. His brother, Joseph J. Balok Jr. and niece Kimberly Elston preceded him in death. Mick is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 51 years, Bonnie (VanRiper) Balok; "Snowman", his best buddy; sister-in-law, Madelyn Balok of Elmira, NY; brother, Daniel (Beth) Balok of Elmira, NY; sister, Kathleen Balok Clark of Saratoga Springs, NY; brother, Kevin Balok of Ithaca, NY; sister-in-laws: Pamela (Michael) Laskaris of Elmira, NY; Brenda Elston of Lowman, NY; Roxanne (Phillip) Ragan of Horseheads, NY; brother-in-law, William (Deborah) VanRiper of Lowman, NY; nieces and nephews: Kimberlee (Michael) Middaugh; Scott Balok, Shannon Moylan and Brian Balok; Casey (Jeffery) Baxter, Justin Clark and Lindsay Clark; Matthew Balok, Anna Balok and Patrick Balok; Kenneth Elston Jr. and Kevin (Nicole) Elston; Phillip (Krista) Ragan, Matthew (Amber) Ragan and Brandon (Amanda) Ragan; William (Jody) VanRiper Jr., and Kelly (Steve) Dolan; along with many great nieces and great nephews. In his earlier years, Michael was a sports enthusiast and excelled in baseball. He was a faithful communicant of St. Mary's Church. Mr. Balok was very active in the Town of Southport and also the Local and State Democratic Parties. For 16 years Mick owned and operated the Ice Cream Works in Corning with his beloved Bonnie. He also owned Broadway Rental, the downtown Post Office and Balok Reality. Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass honoring Mick on Saturday, December 9, 2017 at St. Mary's Parish 224 Franklin Street Elmira, NY at 12:00 (noon) The Reverend John DeSocio will celebrate the Mass. Interment will take place at a later date in St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. Mick was best known for his sweeping generosity of spirit, relentless pursuit of dreams, and being the sole instigator of raucous belly laughs and unbridled fun.